Patna, April 7 Union MSME Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi launched a sharp attack on RJD National Working President Tejashwi Yadav over the liquor policy of Bihar during the membership drive in Gaya on Tuesday.
The statement of Jitan Ram Manjhi came after Tejashwi Yadav criticised the Nitish Kumar government over the liquor policy of Bihar and frequent hooch tragedies.
Recently, in East Champaran, 11 individuals have lost their lives in a hooch tragedy, and more than 15 people are battling for their lives in hospitals after consuming spurious liquor.
Manjhi went on to challenge Tejashwi Yadav to introspect and identify those involved in the alleged sand and liquor mafia networks in Bihar, claiming that such individuals are closely associated with the opposition leader.
Manjhi clarified that the liquor prohibition policy itself was framed with the consensus of all political parties and remains fundamentally sound.
However, he acknowledged serious flaws in its implementation.
“Thousands of cases have been filed against the poor, while major smugglers manage to escape,” he said.
He alleged that influential individuals involved in large-scale smuggling often evade law enforcement, while those caught with small quantities face strict action.
He stressed the need for reforms to ensure fair and effective enforcement of the law.
Highlighting the disparity in enforcement, Manjhi stated that authorities must act firmly against large-scale offenders instead of disproportionately targeting the underprivileged.
On Tuesday, a membership induction ceremony was organized by the Hindustani Awam Morcha (HAM) on Tuesday at its district office in Bhusanda, under the Gaya district.
On the occasion, Union Minister and party patron Jitan Ram Manjhi inducted dozens of individuals from various political parties and social organisations into the party.
He urged the new entrants to actively contribute towards strengthening the organisation at the grassroots level.
Concluding on a lighter note, he reiterated his earlier remark to the media, emphasising that the event was intended for a membership drive rather than a broader political debate.
--IANS
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